Discuss: When Words Fail

Hanna said, among other thoughtful things,

“I don’t think that having a new cute website will help.  I think visibly living lightly might.  I think images of not the scariest future might help, if we can get them ‘out there’.  Subtle things that people don’t want to see changing.  I don’t know.  Maybe I am crazy.  We are the problem.  So only we can be the solution.”

The best solution would be fewer of us, I think. Second best? Quit burning fossil fuels, of course.

*Sigh* The problem will take care of it’s self and my sons will have to live with it. Makes me very unhappy.

Frankly, not to be rude, but I just think the 350 slogan is a little embarrassing.  I can’t imagine getting behind it or promoting it. I’d feel silly.  It’s even worse than Obama/Bob the Builder’s “Yes we can” as the Will.I.Am video using that slogan showed. It’s just painful.

And it’s totally lacking in content other than a simple measure of carbon levels in the atmosphere. It does not convey a vision of a better way of living—we could get to 350 through collective action that transforms the planet or we could get to 350 through more corporate oligarchism like we have now.  350 could be one more slogan to further entrench capitalism.  The slogan is empty.

Me, too, John.  I have already apologized to mine.  They know I tried, and I raised them to live lightly. 

This is turning out to be a better conversation than I thought.

link to mark morford’s latest column. 
We are doomed! Sort of!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2008/06/25/notes062508.DTL&nl=fix

McKibben’s has an excellent idea.  Go with it.
Doubters must realize that no one idea is likely to be a homerun.  To scratch our heads and wonder if 350 will work is absurd thinking. I see Mckibben’s 350 idea as of one of many waves that will combine at some point to bring understanding.  To dwaddle around waiting for the perfect pitch will leave us standing at homeplate as nature calls strike three!  You’re out!

Numbers, slogans, demonstrations ... what ever we can use to proclaim the message must work for people take notice of the global climate crisis. I resonate most with Susan’s and Lindy’s comments and add: Yes, new technology, clean energy, and the notion of sustainable living will help but the “train is roaring down hill” and will take some time (distance) to stop. The earth’s climate is changing. The earth’s ecosystems and her agricultural and economic demographics will change. The earth’s systems will self-regulate and humanity will be affected. Yes, we can slow and mitigate the impacts of global climate change, by changing our self-centered culture of greed. We can change habits to live into a sustaiable life-style and ethic that includes the welfare of our neighbors - all of humanity, all of nature, all of creation. Left unchecked, humanity, as we know the species today, will go the way of the dinosaur. The earth will survive.

What about 350 in 350 days?  A campaign.  I’m in public radio and for our membership drives it’s all about ownership and attainable goals. 350 days to 350, with something real and tangible to do each day, would help make it real for people.  A way to get from here (385) to there (350)in a real way.

hmmm… how about 350 in one day-see my millerfamily.stumbleupon.com for a friend’s take